Brenn-field opens family gathering spot at Stepfield Center

Thursday

Feb 28, 2013 at 4:00 AM

A fountain flowing near the main entrance invites guests in at Brenn-field Nursing Center and Apartments. A turn through the front lobby will take them past a large seating area where on any given day there may be fish swimming by in the large fish tank on one wall, someone playing a tune on the piano off to one side or someone showing off a new litter of puppies for the residents to hold.

Many of the staff members at Brenn-field have worked there between 20 and 30 years from its inception, including Dietitian Marcella Geiser, who has been on staff since 1974.

"Brenn-field is a family owned business," said Assistant Administrator Sara Denney. "We are committed to giving quality, personalized care to each individual and making sure that when people come here they feel at home. We can provide for our residents' needs and the staff communicates with each other to make these goals happen."

A main benefit to the residents as well as the Orrville community is the new Stepfield Center, named after Brenn-field's founders Donald E. and Jean P. Stepfield. Though Donald and Jean have passed, their legacy lives on in current owners Sandy (Stepfield) and Tom Brockman.

The Stepfield Center is available to residents for parties and family gatherings free and is also available for any member of the community to reserve for a fee.

"During the Orrville Home for the Holidays festivities we had everyone out there making chocolate covered pretzels and it was great," said Denney. "The Stepfield Center feels like an extension of home. Our residents can get together with their families at Christmas and we had a resident celebrate her 104th birthday there with over 100 people in attedance."

Decorated with both rustic and modern touches, the Stepfield Center has the feel of a home away from home. The open floor plan flows from a full kitchenette with a large island and dual sinks into a seating area where there can be conference tables or more intimate seating set up in front of the fireplace. Two large side doors open onto an outdoor terrace where on most days you can catch a glimpse of deer passing by in the woods just beyond the fields.

On the last Thursday of each month in 2013 Brenn-field will host guest speakers at the Stepfield Center. On March 28, the speaker will be from Hospice and Palliative Care of Wayne and Holmes County and will be discussing elements of hospice programs with a focus on the importance of preparing a living will. These events are free and open to the public, but anyone who wishes to attend should call to register in advance at 330-683-4075.

Another resource available at Brenn-field is OSHIP (the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Program). This program provides an OSHIP counselor on-site. Anyone who would like to meet with OSHIP Representative Colleen Baker can schedule an appointment at the front desk and receive free information and answers to any questions they may have about services for people on Medicare.

Brenn-field works with Trinity United Methodist Church in Orrville to co-sponsor a blood drive every three months. The next one will be in May and over the past year there have been 22 first-time donors who came through as a result of this partnership.

Part of the way in which the staff at Brenn-field communicates with each other is at their monthly staff meetings. Not only do these provide a place to discuss issues that arise, but it also gives staff members a chance to recognize each other when they truly make a difference.

"We've started a 'Difference Maker Award' during our meetings to give the staff an opportunity to voice their appreciation when someone has gone above and beyond in everyday circumstances and we also make it a point to thank our staff for everything that they do," said Denney.

Brenn-field is an 88-bed facility and has eight private rooms, all with new bathrooms and eight apartments for more independent living, that sit in an area just off the main building. The residents in these apartments are able to utilize the food services, maintenance and cleaning staff as needed but they still drive, have their own garages and maintain a very independent lifestyle.

During an extensive remodel of the facilities in 2012 there were updates made to the physical therapy facilities at Brenn-field which are available for both in-patient and out-patient needs. The surrounding parking area for the building was also expanded to provide more room for employees and more space for visitors.

Among some of the popular events at Brenn-field are the Orrville Fourth of July Parade and the annual pig roast in October.

Brenn-field Nursing Center and Apartments is located at 1980 Lynn Drive in Orrville. Visit the Brenn-field Facebook page to see updated information about the facilities, health topics in Ohio and nationwide and upcoming events for the Wayne County area. To learn more about Brenn-field and the excellence in care that they provide visit the website at www.brenn-field.com or call 330-683-4075.

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